Should I purchase this used 8" jointer & 15" planer???

[jantonitis]

Hello and thank you for reading this.

I have the opportunity to purchase a Delta DJ-20 8" Jointer and a Jet JWP-15CS Planer from a homeowner. The seller said the jointer is about

6 years old and the planer is about 3 years old. He is the original owner of both pieces. He will sell both of them to me for $1500 total.

I went to look at them today. They weren't under power at the time. I'm going back later this week after he runs 220 power to the garage again. Here's what I've seen so far:

Delta DJ-20 8" Jointer

--------------------------------

1. I used a straight edge (Woodcraft 24" - .002 tolerence) to individually check the infeed and outfeed tables. The tables don't seem to be warped, bowed, or have any dips that aren't within tolerence (to me at least).

1. One possible problem is if the infeed and outfeed tables are in the same plane. I put both tables at the same height and used the straightedge centered above the cutting head. When the straightedge was parallel to the fence, the tables are in the same plane. If I leave the straightedge over the cutter head, but put the straightedge on a diagonal, the straightedge rocks a little bit, telling me one of the tables is "tilted". I've read that these tables on on "eccentric bushing" and are adjustable. Is this accurate? Does this seem to be a problem? Is this something that shold stop me from purchasing this tool?

2. The jointer is on a HTC mobile base.

1. The jointer comes with an extra set of knives, fresh from some sharpening service (plastic/rubbery stuff is covering the knives)

2. The fence is currently square to the tables, but I didn't remember to check the flatness of the fence.

Jet JWP-15CS

--------------------------- I'll be quite honest that I don't know much about checking the quality of a used planer. Cosmetically, the planer is in good shape. Slight surface rust, no pitting anywhere. The crank wheel to raise/lower the cutter head moves nicely. I put a straightedge on the base under the cutter head and it's flat no matter where I move the straightedge (parallel, diagonal, or perpendicular to the knives).

At $1500, or $750 for each tool (my rationalization, I realize you can do math), is this a good deal? Here's what I'm debating in my head:

1. Fine woodworking just rated the Grizzly G0500 8" jointer as a "best buy". This is currently selling for 5. I'd have to pay for shipping and a mobile base, but I'd get a warranty and what I've read, good customer service.

1. I'm thinking maybe the 15" jointer is overkill for what I do. I'm a hobbiest woodworker building his first shop. I subscribe to the "buy a tool one time" motto. I'll mostly be buliding case goods, probably some tables. Then I think to myself, if I'm willing to spend 0 for the best DeWalt planer, why not spend the extra 0 to get a tool that will outlast my grandkids (I'm only 30).

Opinions?

[Frank Boettcher]

Yes it is accurate. It is a parallegram design rather than a wedge bed design. You can get a procedure from Delta to coplaner the tables using the adjustable eccentrics. you should only be concerned about verifying that the tables are flat to themselves.

Probably a two speed. run it in both speeds, check the gear box for leaks, raise it and lower it. Good test would be to face joint a piece of wood on the jointer then run it through the planer and check for thickness consistency. Make sure it feeds consistently.

Not familiar with the model. Is it a wedgebed or parallegram design? The value of the parallegram design is that you can adjust it coplaner and that the infeed table stays close to the cutter at all depth settings. They generally are more valuable and more desireable.

You mean planer here? Big difference between the heavy iron machines and the portables.

IMHO A very good deal if the machines are in reasonably good shape.

[LRod]

[top posted for your convenience]

I ran into a similar deal a couple of years ago--DJ-20, DC-380. I paid $1700 and was glad to get them. They were pristine.

I don't care what FWW said about the Grizzly--it's still a grizzly. Would you rather have a Grizzly or a DJ-20? So far as I'm concerned it isn't even a contest. I believe the DJ-20 is the finest 8" jointer ever made.

Now, the Jet...I believe it's a clone of the DC-380, and from that standpoint is worth a serious look (and will be the last planer you buy, most likely). 20 years ago, I wouldn't have put the Jet in the same league as the Delta, but Jet has worked hard on their QC and fit and finish, and has become quite respectable, for an offshore manufacturer. Delta's stock may have slipped a bit, if reports heard here are any measure.

Is $1500 a good price? Yeah, probably. I might be inclined to offer a couple of hundred less, just to test the waters. However, I suspect anything up to the asking price is probably a decent deal. Killer deal? As in "a poor widder lady...?" No. But decent, nonetheless.

[Toller]

Sounds a bit high, but if they are good tools for you, you probably will not find real bargains.

However, if you think they are bigger than you need, then get a 6" jointer and a 12" planer and take your wife out to several dozen dinners.

[Pig]

I don't know where you are geographically, but here in NJ I'd just pay the man his asking price of $1500, load them into the truck, and drive away screaming in delight. IMHO, the DJ-20 is a great tool with arguably the best design out there, and the Jet planer is also a fine machine. If the tools are not abused, run clean with some test wood and as you have already checked, are generally the way they should be, this is a bargain in my neck of the woods. Sounds like they are in need of just a little TLC and tuning. They will be the last planer and jointer you'll buy and some lucky relative will inherit them.

Mutt

[RonB]

Huh? OP didn't ask about Griz. Answer depends on which is the tool.

RonB

[Scott Lurndal]

Go back and re-read the OP.

scott

[Fly-by-Night CC]

Sounds like a good deal to me. The DJ-20 has been on my wish list for years but at $1200-$1500 it has stayed there. The planer is a serious contender too. Jet tools has become a major player in quality woodworking tools - they've come a loooong way in the last 10 years.

New price for both items, I believe, would be in the $2500-$2750 range (don't have the gumption to check at the moment). The $1500 used price is probably better than usual given the desirability of these tools.

[jantonitis]

Thanks to everyone who's provided feedback so far. I'm going back tomorrow to run some boards through these machines. I hope everything turns out well.

Jason

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

IF you end up not getting them and are considering Grizzly for the jointer, you may consider the G0586....seems to be a better machine for the same price as the G0500. I haven't seen reviews of them but I did call their technical service line and the guy ultimately said if it were him, he'd get the 0586. Just fyi. Cheers, cc

[RonB]

Apology. I should read, not scan before I submit a post

[jantonitis]

I am now the proud owner of these tools. They both ran fine. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

[Seth]

I will sell you my Delta DJ15 w/ lg fence and mobile stand. Low hrs and impeccably maintained machine. It was willed to me and I will never use it. Let me know.

[John Grossbohlin]

I love it when these archival writings resurface. ;~)

I will sell you my Delta DJ15 w/ lg fence and mobile stand. Low hrs and impeccably maintained machine. It was willed to me and I will never use it. Let me know.